The greatest person I know

Since I created this blog in December, I've talked about my own experiences and things that amuse, anger, or baffle me. And I have enjoyed sharing my thoughts to you all.

But today, er, tonight, I have decided to write about something else. Someone I have not yet mentioned in this space, but someone who deserves to have an entire book written about her. She has done more for me than anyone else, and she means the world to me.

My mother.

I know everyone says this about their mother, but I will say it about mine: She is the best mother in the world. Caring. Supportive. Loving. A peacemaker. A role model. The list goes on. Mrs. D is the greatest person I know, and I want to thank her for everything she has done for me and the rest of our family.

I received a package in the mail yesterday from her, which completely surprised me. But I like surprises. It reminded me of my college days when she would send me care packages, cards, and postcards in the mail. Because we all loved to get mail in college! Anyway, I brought the package into the kitchen and examined its contents. There were homemade cookies, some pasta (wheat of course :) ) soup, mint milanos (one of my guilty pleasures), cans of tuna, pouches of salmon, and a few other things. Oh, and she also included a book I had asked her to send me.

Staring at all of these items on the counter, I couldn't help but feel so thankful to have a mother that cares about me this much. I moved away from Massachusetts in July 2005 and although I have only seen my family a few times since, I still feel like I live close to them. Sometimes I call my mother on the phone without anything to say ... I just like to hear her voice and say hello.

My mother's good deeds go beyond the family though. During the Christmas season, she is the director of the Holiday Helper Program in our hometown. This program provides needy families with food, money, and presents during Christmas. I remember over the years when I would help pack up boxes of food for each family, divide presents up for the children, and even make ribbons for plastic bags that held hats and gloves.

But it all goes back to mom. Ma. Mother. My mother.

I don't think I've said this to my mother in quite some time, so I'll say it here: I love you mom. You are the greatest thing that ever happened to me and I am so thankful to have you. Remember when I broke my collarbone and you stayed home with me? We played Dr. Mario on Nintendo to pass the time. How about the sinus infection I had freshman year in college? I drove home that week and you took care of me. Or when the Red Sox won the World Series and I couldn't get the champagne bottle open because I was shaking so much?

Your birthday is more than a month away and Mother's Day even further out, but I just wanted to say thank you for everything. Thank you for being you.

-Jason